I don't get why some Arsenal fans care so much.... it's the carling friggin cup, merely the warm up for the F.A cup, which is still not that important for any of the big clubs unless you randomly get to the final, only then does it become important.
If you're playing champs league week in week out and fighting for the Prem, why would you even care...
let the kids all get a run out... instead you have van persie picking up injuries before the important barca game. Very clever.
Because it was their best chance at winning a trophy this season
All due respect to Arsenal:
1) CL - away to Barca, I think most would agree that Barca are likely to score a number of goals at home (to anyone, not just Arsenal) - but can Arsenal score enough away to knock them out?
2) FA Cup - Even if they win the replay, they then have an away game at OT (much harder to call than 1 without doubt, but over the last few years Man Utd has won majority reasonably easily)
3) EPL - Still very tight between the top two, but Arsenal cant afford to slip up at all in the remaining 10 games (allowing for an Arsenal win against Utd at The Emirates) - given the amount of games, all the teams still to play - very tough call indeed to say either way
edit - Personally always thought FA Cup was more important than the CC , from a historical point of view and from being a Utd fan and what happened regarding Utd 12 seasons ago (and the fact that Utd havent won it for seemingly ages). Ive always thought it much easier to win the CC, due to its games mainly being played at the beginning of the season / when CL isnt being played. To be able to fight for CL, FA and EPL simultaniously at the latter stages of all (ie April/May) shows that the squad and club are doing ok.
Winning The Treble will always be special - and to me that will always be the FA Cup and not the CC. Any treble is good, but The Treble will always be FA, CL and EPL - knock any of those out and win the CC instead will always make it a lot easier.